A parental rights organization filed a civil rights complaint on Wednesday against an Illinois high school for allegedly offering programs and activities exclusively for black and Hispanic students.
“Parents Defending Education (PDE) brings this complaint against Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora, Illinois for discrimination on the basis of race in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance in violation of both Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 … and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” the complaint reads.
At issue in PDE’s complaint is alleged racial discrimination by IMSA’s Brotherhood Sister Circle (BHSC), which provides so-called “Culturally, Linguistically, and Economically Diverse” students an environment to “learn about the history and current system of oppression in America” and “develop relational leadership skills/stereotype management to confront related issues.” The school launched the program in 2019 to give IMSA’s black and “Latinx” students a chance to “celebrate and enhance their strengths, creativity, intelligence, promote networking, community involvement, financial literacy, resources, and academic success.”
Emails obtained by PDE indicate that BHSC’s annual retreat is racially discriminatory toward individuals who aren’t black or Hispanic.
On March 3, 2022, for instance, IMSA sent an email blast to students informing them that BHSC and the school’s office of diversity, equity, and inclusion would be hosting their retreat on March 12, with the school’s director of pre-enrollment programs stating: “Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and connect with other Black and Latinx students, staf[f] and
